April 24, 2014

An alien being comes to Earth, takes over the naked body of a maths professor and tries to complete a mission. In the meantime, he has to learn to get along with humans. Coming from an 'advanced' and rational race, this takes some doing as he figures out what clothes are for, how humans communicate and what is true and what is beautiful. The alien gradually goes native in this warmly funny exploration of what it is to be human. Culminating in a list of advice for a human teenager, including "politeness is often fear, kindness is always courage", this book covers both the sublime and the ridiculous in humans living and loving each other, whilst working through a well plotted tale. A lovely book.